Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Asked about how beneficial it has been being able to rotate his squad when they face a Real Madrid side struggling with injuries, Guardiola responded: "We play 11 against 11 tomorrow. When you have everybody fit and play in a lot of competitions and games, of course it is better to rotate. Fresh legs and fresh minds."
With January signings Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo in line to play their first Champions League match, the City boss said: "As quick as they start to live these kind of situations, the better it will be for the future of this club."
On mentality when playing at the Bernabeu: "We have to face the game and opponent with incredible respect, but have to look in eyes and say 'this is who we are as a team'. If we do it, maybe we are lucky and go through, next one maybe not. So you have to be who you are when in this stage against big teams."
He added: "If we are not able to handle this situation when we play at Anfield, Old Trafford, Emirates or Stamford Bridge, or Bayern Munich or PSG in that moment, you have to live that. It is better to be here than not to be here. I prefer to be here and come to this stadium in the last-16 because that means we are in more or less the elite of Europe – 12 or 13 years ago, this club was never, never here."
When asked how he would describe the identity of his City team, Guardiola said: "The Newcastle game defined who we are". He added: "When we are here, we have to prove ourselves the best otherwise, for my experience arriving in Champions League, semi-finals, finals, if you are not who you are it is more difficult."
Despite Real boss Alvaro Arbeloa saying Guardiola sides "always have a surprise" prepared, the City manager insisted there are "no surprises", but they will have to "make some adjustments for the quality they have".
On the difference of facing Real Madrid this time compared to last season: "We arrive better because we have the squad. Last season we arrive with a lot of fatigue, with too few players available who competed that moment."
Listen to full commentary of Real Madrid v Manchester City on Wednesday from 20:00 GMT on BBC Sounds
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